Markets

Bulk grain ports monitoring highlights access issues

Grain Central, December 14, 2018

THE AUSTRALIAN Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) annual bulk grain ports monitoring report has highlighted continuing concerns being expressed by growers and exporters about access to Australia’s bulk grain export supply chains, both at port and up-country.

The ACCC prepares an annual report based on its role of monitoring compliance with the code.

The report, examining the 2017-18 shipping year, found that exporters could typically access some port capacity, but many remained concerned about fairness and transparency of the allocation of port access.

“”Even though many port terminals had excess port capacity in a year of lower production, exporters were still worried about the quality and fairness of port access,” ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said.

“”In particular, they were concerned about their limited ability to negotiate terms with more dominant providers.”

Problems up-country

Overall, the ACCC heard more concerns from growers and exporters about up-country access issues, such as grain storage and handling services and transportation, than about issues related to port access.

“We’re troubled that some exporters and growers are still reporting issues in their dealings with service providers at port and along related supply chains.”

“”Many of these up-country supply-chain issues are not directly addressed under the existing code.

“The ACCC considers up-country access issues may be more appropriately dealt with through industry-led reform, or through a market inquiry such as the one currently being sought by growers.”

“Some areas have multiple service providers, while other areas remain serviced by vertically integrated near monopolies, particularly in Western Australia and South Australia.

“Users seem to get very different results in different regions.

“”The ACCC considers that an appropriately targeted grains code is vital for ensuring port terminal access for all exporters on a fair and transparent basis.”

The report, now in its third year, examines data on the nature and concentration of export activity across Australia’s bulk-grain port terminals, and also presents views from industry consultation with growers, exporters, and port terminal service providers.

Background

The ACCC monitors and enforces compliance with the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct, and also has certain specific roles in relation to port terminal exemptions and capacity allocation systems.

The code regulates the conduct of bulk wheat port terminal service providers. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has recently released a report on the future of the code.

The ACCC will undertake monitoring of bulk wheat port terminal services to continue to assess the level of competition at both exempt and non-exempt facilities in the future.